Its chairman, Lee Lam Thye, commended the proposed law which aims to provide legal protection to individuals who assist others in emergencies with good intentions. He was referring to an announcement by health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad yesterday.

“A Good Samaritan Law offers legal protection to individuals who act in good faith to help others in emergencies. These Good Samaritans deserve recognition and support for their courage and compassion in offering aid without fear of legal repercussions,” Lee said in a statement.

He was responding to Dzulkefly’s call for the introduction of the GSL before the conclusion of the current 15th parliamentary session.

Lee, a former DAP MP, highlighted several benefits of the proposed law, noting that it would encourage more people to assist those in distress without hesitation.

He said such legislation could also enhance public health strategies, particularly in cases like overdose interventions or administering first aid during accidents.

However, he emphasised that careful consideration is needed to ensure the law’s effective drafting and implementation.

“There is a possibility that some individuals may misuse the law to escape accountability for negligent or harmful actions.

“Clear guidelines are essential to define the scope of protection and ensure the law applies only to genuine acts of good faith,” he said.

Lee also cautioned against overreliance on untrained individuals in emergencies, stressing the importance of public education campaigns to raise awareness about the law and basic emergency response skills.

“We urge the government to engage all relevant stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, legal experts and community organisations, to craft a comprehensive and balanced GSL,” he said.

He said it was important to accompany the legislation with public education initiatives to help the people understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.